Drilling apparatus



Feb. 25, 1941. w. T. CALDWELL DRILLING APPARATUS `Film1 July 27; 1958 3Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Wa/el' T fa/owe/l A'rroRNEY Feb. 245, 19417. lw. 1'. CALDWELL DRILLING APPARATUS Filed July 27, 193e s sheets-sheet 2INVENTOR Mze/f Ta/dwell A ORNEY Feb. 25, 1941. w. T. CALDWELL 2,232,995A DRILLING APPARATUS Filed July 27, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR'Wa/fer 7' `a/awe// l ATTORNE Patented Feb. 25, 1941 PATENT OFFICEDRILLING APPARATUS Walter 'l'. Caldwell, Enid, kla., asslgnor to TheGeorge E. Falling Supply Company, Enid, Gkla., 4a corporation ofOklahoma Application July' 21, 193s'. serial No. 221,531

` ,s *(cl. zas-22) l This invention relates to apparatus for drillingearth formations and particularly to a portable unit including aderrick, a rotary for actuatinga-v string of drill pipe, mechanism forselectively 5 applying pressure on the drill pipe,` a hoisting mechanismfor handling the drilling string, a

packer unit, and other necessary mechanisms used in drilling operations.

Units of this character must-have a high "i strength weight ratio and beexceptionally compact to permit of portability and conveyance to remotefields of operation as in taking of cores or drilling shot-holes for usein seismic surveying in the prospecting for oil, gas, and the like.

M l While the parts of the" apparatus must be com-.

pact, they must be arranged so that one mechanism will notinterfere withanother mechanism, `or with running in and withdrawal of the drillingstring. l

` It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention toprovide a unit of this characterA having a high strength weight ratiowhich is compact in arrangement and capable of rapid, l vefficientdrilling of earth formations. ,-Affurther object of the invention is toprovide ran improved mounting ofthe pressure control mechanism so thatit may be readily moved to and from an out-of-the-way position withrespect to the rotary, thereby leaving a clear working space about the`rotary when running in and pulling the drilling string, running casing,and

performing other operations incidental to drilling.'

A further object of the invention is to provide In accomplishing theseand otherobjects of 45 the invention, as hereinafter pointed out, I haveprovided .improved details of structure, the preferred formof whichisillustrated in -the accompanying drawings, wherein: l

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portable drilling unit `constructed inaccordance with the present invention and showing the pressure controlmechanism in retracted position. y

, Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the unit v 5'. on'the line2`2 of Fig. ,1. showing the pressure 'positiOlL through a drive shaft l.

control mechanism being moved to retracted Fig;- 3 is an end elevationalview of the unit,

.the rotary being shown ln section to better illus- `trate the drivingconnection therefor andthe 5 pressure control or feed mechanism beingshown in operative position relatively to a drilling string which isindicated in dotted lines.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line .-4 of Fig. 3. V 10 Referringmore in detail tothe drawings:

I designates the rear portion of a motor vehicle chassis including aframe 2 having its rear portion r mounted on wheels 3 which are drivenThe opposite end of 15 the frame is supported by the usual *steering`wheels (not shown) and carries the power unit for operating the shaft 4,as in conventional automotive practice.

The frame 2 supports a platform 5 on which 20 is mounted a power unit 6,which may consist of an ordinary internal combustion engine arrangedtransversely of the platform and having a multiple `speed transmission loperating a driving member `8. I The driving member 8 may con- 25 sistof a sprocket as shown, to drive chain belts 9 running over a sprocketmember I0 on` a shaft II which is operatively connected by means of aflexible coupling I2 with a multi-speed transmission I3 locatedalongside the power unit 5 and 30 arranged so that its driving shaft I4and driven shaft or power output I5 extend transversely of the platform.l

The shaft Il is supported on the respective sides of the sprocket memberIII in spaced bearing brackets I6 and I'I that are anchored on theplatform. The driven shaft I5 is supported at one end by the housing ofthe transmission I3 and at its opposite end in a bearing bracket I8carried on the platform at the side opposite the bearing brackets I6 andI'I.

Slidably Splined on the shaft I5 are spaced clutch members I9 and 20having teeth 2| and 22 adapted to respectivelyV engage correspondingteeth 23 and 24 on the hubs 25 and 26 of sprocket 45 members 21 and 28,the-sprocket members 21 and 25 being rotatably mounted on the shaft I5but adapted to be connected therewith upon engagement of the respectiveclutches as later described.

Mounted on the sides of the platform, adjacent the rear edgethereof, areposts 29 and 30 having bearings 3I and 32 at their upper ends pivotallysupporting a `derrick or mast 33.V The derrick 33 includes spaced legs134 and 35 having adjustable foot members 36 and 31 adapted to engagemud 55 sills or the like 36 when the derrick is in erect position. Thederrick also includes legs 39 cooperating with the legs 39 and 35 tosupport the usual crown pulleys (not shown), and which suspend thetackle mechanism for handling the drilling string through a hoistingmechanism 49, later described. The derrick is thus mounted on theplatform so that it may be swung forwardly of the vehicle tohorizontally overlie the mechanism on the platform when in transportposition. When the derrick is moved to erect position, las shown in Fig.2, it is rigidly secured by suitable clamps 4I and 42 that are attachedto a downset portion 43 of the frame and which clampingly engage thelegs 34 and 35.

The hoisting mechanism 40 includes a-spooling drum 44 which is operatedto rotate in either direction by sprocket members 45 which are drivenfrom the sprocket members 21 through a chain belt connection 46. 'I'hehoisting mechanism also includes a cathead 41 which is selectivelydriven through the operating mechanism of the hoist as in customarypractice. The hoisting drum is thus mounted so that the axis thereofextends parallel with the axes of the driving and driven shafts II andI5 and with the power unit 6, so that it may be directly driventherefrom at any one of a plurality of speeds either forward or reversethat are provided in the respective transmissions 1 and I3. 'Ihehoisting drum is mounted on the platform so that it is spaced forwardlyof the rear edge a suflcient distance to provide ample floor space 48within the derrick for convenience of the drillers in making up andbreaking the joints of the drill pipe incidental to running in andwithdrawing the drilling string.

The part of the frame constituting the floor space 48 preferablyprojects to the rear of the wheels 3 and carries depending brackets 49suspending the down-set portion of the frame to mount a rotary platform50 that is positioned below the level of the platform 5. Carried on theplatform 50 is a rotary 5| including a collar 52 aligning with van axialopening 53 in the platform 50 and having a radial flange 54 secured tothe down-set portion of the frame by fastening devices such as bolts 55.Rotatably mounted within the collar on suitable antifriction bearings 56is a driving sleeve 51 carrying a tapered slip seating ring 58 formounting slips 59, the slips 59 having seats 60 adapted to drivinglyengage the kelly rod of the drilling string to effect rotation thereofupon operation of the driving sleeve. The driving sleeve 51 has a ringgear 6| which meshes with a pinion 62 fixed to a shaft 63 rotatablyjournalled within a trunnion 64 extending laterally of the collar 52,later described. The outer end of the'shaft is rotatably supported inspaced bearing brackets 65 and 66 fixed to the platform 50 as shown inFigs. 1 and 3. Fixed to the shaft 63 between the bearing brackets is asprocket member 61 aligning with the sprocket member 28 previouslymentioned, and which is driven therefrom through a chain belt connection68 operating through an opening 69 in the platform 5, Fig. 1.

The clutches I9 and 20 may be operated by any suitable mechanism but arehere shown as controlled by push and pull rods 10 and 1| extendinglongitudinally of the side of the platform 5 and slidingly supported atthe rear ends in a bracket 12,` The opposite ends of the rods arepivotally connected to the arms 13 and 14 of bell-cranks v15 and 16respectively, the bell-cranks being mounted on a common pivot 11 carriedon the platform adjacent the clutch member 29. The otherarm 18 of thebell-crank 16 is pivotally connected, as at 19, with a shifting yokeSii-having engagement with the 'clutch 20. The other arm 8| of thebell-crank 15 is connected through a link 82 with a rocker arm 83pivotally mounted;

as at 84, on the platform 5 and connected with `a shifting yoke 86operatively engaged with the clutch I9. The push and pull rods areactuated adjacent the drillers station by hand levers 81 and 88, Figs. 1and 3.

In drilling certain formations, it is desirable to exert a downwardpressure on the drilling string to promote cutting action of the drillbit and in drilling through other formations, particularly when thedrilling has progressed to a substantial depth, it may be desirable torelieve pressure of the drilling string upon the bit. The unit thereforeincludes a pressure operated mechanism 89 for selectively applyingpressure through the drilling string or to relieve pressure of thedrilling string on the bit as now to be described.

Extending from the rotary collar 5I on the side opposite the trunnion641s a trunnion 90 and pivotally mounted on the respective trunnions arecylinders 9| and 92 of the pressure control mechanism. In theillustrated instance the lower ends of the cylinders are shown as havinglugs 93 provided with arcuate seats 94 engaging the trunnions and whichare retained by caps 95 extending around the opposite side of thetrunnions and secured by cap-screws or the like 96.y The cylinders areretained in operative position on the trunnions by nuts or equivalentretainers 91 which are threaded on the outer ends of the trunnions. Theupper ends of the cylinders are connected by a yoke 98 having aconnecting portion 99 curved forwardly to provide a rearwardly openingrecess |00 to accommodate the drilling string. The cylinders areprovided with pistons l |0I and |02 carried on piston rods |03 and |04movable through stuffing boxes |05 and |06 closing the upper ends of thecylinders. The projectI ing ends of the piston rods extend throughsleeves |01 and |08 on arms |09 projecting radially from a slipsupporting collar of va gripping device |I0. The piston rods are rigidlysecured to the sleeves |01 and |08 and are guidingly supported to movein a perpendicular direction upon vactuation of the pistons by guiderods ||I and ||2, fixed to the arms |09 in forwardly spaced relationwith respect to the cylinders and having their lower ends slidablyjournaled in bearing openings I|3 provided in the connecting yoke 98.

kThe collar |I0 rotatably mounts a gripping device 4 that is retainedtherein against relatively axial movement and which is provided withgripping devices ||5 adapted to be moved into gripping engagement withthe kelly rod of the drilling string. 1

A pressure medium is supplied to the respective ends of the cylinders toselectively act against the upper or lower sides of the pistons throughexible connections II6 and |I1 which are connected to a four-way valveIIB having connection through conduits I |9 and I 20 with the intake anddischarge connections of a pump |2 I.

The pump |2| is mounted on the platform 5 and is operated by means of achain |22 running over a sprocket |23 on the shaft I|. It is thusobvious that the discharge and intake connections of the pump may beselectively connected ing upon the upper sides of the pistons, pressureis applied to the drilling string through the gripping device to promotecutting action of the drill bit as it is being rotated by the rotarymechanism. When the pump pressure is applied to the under side of thepistons, the pistons are raised to support the drilling string, therebyrelieving weight thereof upon the drilling bit so as to control thecutting action when penetrating s oft, cavy for- In running in andpulling the string, it is necessary to move the pressure controlmechanism out of alignment with the rotary mechanism. This isaccomplished by swinging the pressure control unit on the trunnions sothat it is passed through an opening |24 of the platform to bepositioned therebelow, the opening in the platform being normally closedby trap doors |25 and. |26 hinged to the side edges thereof as indicatedat |21 and 2o |28 so that they may be moved to and from coveringrelation with the opening. When the pressure unit is in retractedposition and the door is closed the platform space below the derrick isentirely free and clear of obstructions and provides ample spacenecessary in breaking and making up of the joints `of the drill string.

In order to move the pressure unit on its pivotal mounting, I provide ahydraulically ac-tuated cylinder |29 having one end pivotally supported,as at |30, to a bracket |3| depending from the frame of the vehicle asshown in Fig. 2. Slidably mounted in the cylinder is a piston |32carrying a piston rod |33 reciprocable through a stuiling f box |34`inthe head ofthe cylinder.y The projecting end of the piston rod ispivotally connected with an ear |35 projecting from the cylinder 92 byapin |36 extending through a yoke-shaped head `|3'| on the piston rod andthrough the ear |35.` A fluid pressure medium is selectively ad- 40mitted to the respective ends of the cylinder through flexibleconnections |38 and |39 leading to a four-way valve ,|40 which isconnected with the intake and discharge connections |4| and |42 of apump |43. i The pump |43 may be located 45 on the platform 5 adjacentthe pump |2| and operably connected with a sprocket |44 on the shaftthrough a chain belt connection |45.

In using a drilling unit constructed and assembled as described, it ismoved to the location 50 of drilling as an ordinary motorvehicle withthe pressure control cylinders supported under the platform, with thetrap doors |25 and |26 in closed position, and with the derricksupported horizontally on its pivotal mountings 3| and 32 55 with theupper end extending forwardly of the vehicle. Upon reaching the drillinglocation, the derrick is erected and secured in perpendicular positionby the clamps 4| and 42, and the foot members 36 and 31 are adjustedagainst supw porting sills. The doors |25 and |26 are opened and thepressure control mechanism is raised to operative position over therotary. This is effected by starting the power unit 6 to drive the pump|43, the valve |40 being adjusted so that 55 the discharge of the pumpis connected with the cylinder |23 through the flexible conduit |39 toestablish pressure against the bottom of the piston. When the pressurecontrol mechanism is in perpendicular position the valve |40 is adjusted70 so as to retain pressure in the cylinder |29. The pump may then beshut down by provision of a suitable clutch.

The drilling string is suspended by the tackle mechanism from the crownpulleys kso that it 75 passes through the gripping device II4 and`operators upon closing of the trap doors.

through the slips 59 of the rotary. The drilling string is actuated byengaging the clutch 2l with the hub 2i of the sprocket member 2l, thetransmissions |3 and 'I having been manipulated to select the desiredspeed of rotation. The chains l drive the sprocket member 6l and rotatethe shaft 53 to eifect' rotation of the slip carrier through the ringgear' 6|. `If desired the slips of the gripping device may be moved intogripping engagement with the drilling string and the pump |2| actuatedso that upon proper adjustment of the valve ill pressure will beadmitted through the conduits ||6 to the upper sides of the pistons.This will effect downward movement of the piston rods to exert downwardpressure of the drilling string upon the drill bit.

When it becomes necessary to pull the drilling string, it is raisedthrough the hoist 40 upon engagement of the clutch I9 with the hub 25 ofthe sprocket member 21 so as to remove the kelly rod -from drivingrelation with therotary. The drilling" string below the kelly rodv issupported on the rotary bythe usual spider as in conventional practiceand the` kelly rod disconnected The kelly rod may then be removedfromthe gripping device ||4 whereupon the pressure control mechanism may bemoved to retractive position below the platform upon actuating the valve|40 so as to apply pressure medium to the cylinder |29 `through theconduit |38. When the pressure position leaving the platform space foruse of the It is also obviousthat the power for the pressure controlmechanism is independent of the power used in moving the mechanism toand from operative position. n i. i y y What I claim and. desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a drilling apparatus, a platform, a trap door in the platform,drilling mechanism carried on the platform` including drill piperotating mechanism, a pressure actuated mechanism for axially feedingthe drill pipe, and means supporting said feeding mechanism on theplatform for movement from a position in registry with the axis of saidrotating mechanism and through said door to a position substantiallyLbelow said platform.

2. In a drilling apparatus, a mobile platform, drilling mechanismcarried on the platform including drill pipe rotating mechanism,pressure mechanism for exerting axial pressure on the drill pipe, alateral compartment under said platform, and pivotal means mounting saidpressure mechanism for movement from an erect position over saidrotating mechanism to a reclining position in said compartment.

3. In a drilling apparatus, a mobile support having a platform providedwith upper and lower offset portions, drilling mechanism carried on thesupport including drill pipe rotating mechanism mounted upon said loweronset portion of the platform, pressure actuated mechanism pivotallysupported en said lower offset portion, and means for moving saidpressure mechanism on its pivotal support to a reclining positionlaterally of said lower offset portion and below said upper offsetportion.

4. In a drilling apparatus, a platform having an opening therein, adoor` covering said opening, drilling mechanism carried on the platformincluding drill pipe rotating mechanism offset below said platform,pressure mechanism for exerting axial pressure on the drill pipe, andmeans pivotally mounting saidI pressure mechanism at saidV offset formovement from a position over said rotating mechanism to a positionunder said platform and laterally of said rotating mechanism.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, a support, a drill piperotating mechanism on the support including a sleeve member, slipscarill ried by the sleeve member, means rotatably mounting the sleevemember for rotation about a fixed axis on the support, a ring gear onthe sleeve member, a pinion gear meshing with the ring gear, a shaftrotatably mounting the pinion gear, -means for actuating said shaft,pressure actuated means including a gripping device for engaging thedrill pipe, and means pivotally supporting said pressure actuated meansrelatively to the rotating mechanism whereby said pressure actuatedmeans is adapted for movement about the axis of said shaft from aposition parallel to said axis of rotation to a reclining positionrelatively to said rotating mechanism and at substantially right anglesto said axis of rotation.

6. In a drilling apparatus, a platform, drilling mechanism carried onthe platform including drill pipe rotating mechanism offset below saidplatform, pressure mechanism for exerting axial pressure on the drillApipe, pivotall means connected with a lower portion of said pressuremechanism and mounting said pressure mechanism for movement from aposition over said rotating mechanism to la position under saidplatform, a hydraulic actuator for eiecting movement of said pressuremechanism to and from its respective positions, and meanssupportpaisanos ing said hydraulic actuator 'below platform.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, a mobile' frame, a drillpipe rotating mechanism having :xed support on said frame, a drivingshaft rotatably connected with said rotating mechanism, pressureactuated means including a gripping device for engaging the drill pipe,means pivotally supporting said pressure actuated means relatively tosaid rotating mechanism whereby said pressure actuated means is adaptedfor movement about the axis of said shaft from a position in engagementwith said pipe to a position laterally of said rotating mechanism.

and hydraulic means for shifting said pressure actuated means on itspivotal supporting means.

8. In a drilling apparatus, a mobile frame, drill rod rotating mechanismcarried on the frame, pressure augmenting means pivotally mounted on theframe, a compartment carried by the frame laterally of said rotatingmechanism, a bracket carried by the frame, a hydraulic cylinderpivotally connected with the bracket, a piston in the cylinder, rodsconnected with the piston and having pivotal connection with thepressurev augmenting means, and means for admitting fluid medium to therespective ends of the hydraulic cylinder to eifect movement of thepressure augmenting means to and from said compartment.

9. In a drilling apparatus, a mobile frame having offset portions atdiierent elevations, a drill rod rotating mechanism ixed on the loweroffset portion, a compartment formed in the upper of said offsetportions, pressure augmenting means pivotally mounted over said drillrod rotating mechanism, a bracket suspended from the upper of saidoffset portions, a hydraulic cylinder pivoted to said bracket, a pistonslidable in the cylinder, a piston rod connected with the piston, meanspivotally connecting the piston rod with the pressure augmenting means,and means for admitting a pressure medium to the respective ends of thecylinder for moving the pressure augmenting means to and from thecompartment. I

WALTER T. CALDWELL.

